The Kansas boys soccer season has come to a close with the Rose Hill Rockets taking third place in Class 4-3-2-1A.
Rose Hill made it to the semifinals, facing St. James Academy of Lenexa last Friday. After a scoreless first half, Rose Hill scored first, but they were soon matched by St. James. In a hard fought 80 minutes, Rose Hill and St. James finished the game tied at 1-1. After four overtime periods, the game was still tied, so the game would be decided by a shoot out. St. James won the shootout 4-2.
St. James advanced to the state championship game on Saturday and eventually won the state championship by defeating Berean 3-2 in yet another exciting finish. Steve Loya popped in a booming shot in the final minutes giving the Thunder the state championship title.
Rose Hill played in the consolation game. After a grueling defeat the night before, Rose Hill was a very loose team in the consolation game on Saturday. The Rockets faced DeSoto Wildcats. Dom Swindler and Ramsey Khalidi of Rose Hill each scored in the first half and the Rockets held on to win 2-0, taking third place in state.
Rose Hill will not soon forget St.James Academy, though, especially after the heartbreaking loss on Friday. It is now two years in a row that St. James has beaten Rose Hill in the playoffs.
In other KSHSAA soccer championship action, Topeka Washburn Rural defeats Lawrence Free State 3-0 to win the 6A state championship and St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Shawnee Mission Bishop Miege 2-0 to win the 5A state championship title.